A few days after her death, he was moving her belongings and came across a giant heartfelt note written in marker pen on the back of a large mirror.

One line read: "Every day is special, so make the most of it.

"You could get a life-ending illness tomorrow so make the most of every day. Life is only bad if you make it bad."

The posthumous note made reference to her cancer, which she discovered after finding a tiny lump on her head last year.

At Christmas, Athena collapsed at home and blacked out and the family began to suspect something serious.

Athena was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and, in the follwing months, underwent intense chemotherapy.

Her treatment included having a large tumour removed from her spine.

Her funeral will take place at Gilroes cemetery, in Leicester, on June 12.

But before she died, she penned the lengthy epistle which remained hidden until after her death.

Dean, 33, said: "It was a stand-up mirror in her room, and it was always lent up against the wall so we never saw behind it.

"She never mentioned it, but it's the kind of thing she'd do.

"She was a very spiritual person, she'd go on about stuff that I could never understand – she was so clever.

"When I moved the mirror after she died I couldn't believe it, I saw all this writing – it must have been about 3,000 words.

"It's so touching. When I first saw it, it just blew me away.

"I started reading it but before long I had to stop because it was too much – it was heartbreaking."

Her mum Caroline, 37, said: "She was the bravest person I know.

"She was always trying to make sure other people were okay before worrying about herself.

"She was always being positive."

Athena leaves behind six sisters and three brothers.

Excerpts from Athena’s message “Happiness depends upon ourselves.“Maybe it’s not about the happy ending, maybe it’s about the story.“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. Happiness is a direction not a destination.“Thank you for existing. Be happy, be free, believe, forever young.“You know my name, not my story.“You have heard what I’ve done, but not what I’ve been through.“Love is like glass, looks so lovely, but it’s easy to shatter.“Love is rare, life is strange, nothing lasts and people change.“Every day is special, so make the most of it. You could get a life-ending illness tomorrow so make the most of every day.“Life is only bad if you make it bad.“If someone loves you then they wouldn’t let you slip away no matter how hard the situation is.“Remember that life is full of ups and downs, without the downs the ups don’t mean anything.“I’m waiting to fall in love with someone I can open my heart to.“Love is not about who you can see spending your future with it’s about who you can’t see spending your life without.“Life is a game for everyone but love is the only prize.”